The Diamond Coterie
On a certain Saturday in June, year of our Lord 1880, between the hours of sunrise and sunset, the town of W——, in a State which shall be nameless, received two shocks.
Small affairs, concerning small people, could never have thrown W—— into such a state of excitement, for she was a large and wealthy town, and understood what was due to herself.
She possessed many factories, and sometimes a man came to his death among the ponderous machinery. Not long since one hand had stabbed another, fatally; and, still later, a factory girl had committed suicide.
These things created a ripple, nothing more. It would ill become a town, boasting its aristocracy and style, to grow frenzied over the woes of such common people. But W—— possessed a goodly number of wealthy families, and some blue blood. These were worthy of consideration, and upon these calamity had fallen. Let us read an extract or two from the W—— Argus , a newspaper of much enterprise and exceeding veracity:
MONSTROUS DIAMOND ROBBERY—BOLD BURGLARY.
This day we are startled by the news of a robbery in our midst, the like of which it has never been our fate to chronicle.
When the servants at Wardour Place arose this morning, they found confusion reigning in the library, desks forced open, papers strewn about, and furniture disarranged. One of the long windows had been opened by forcing the shutters, and then cutting out a pane of glass, after which the bolts were easily drawn.
Miss Wardour was at once aroused, and further examination disclosed the fact that her dressing room had been invaded, and every box, trunk and drawer searched. The beautiful little affair, which has the appearance of a miniature combined desk and bookcase, but which contains a small safe, that Miss Wardour believed burglar proof, had been forced, and the jewels so widely known as the Wardour diamonds, stolen. Quite a large sum of money, and some papers of value, were also taken.
Most of our readers are familiar with the history of the Wardour diamonds, and know that they represented a fortune.
Lawrence L. Lynch
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THE NEW DETECTIVE STORY.
THE Diamond Coterie
Author of "Shadowed by Three" "Madeline Payne," Etc.
"Really this is a sad affair."
CONTENTS.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
The Diamond Coterie.
TWO SHOCKS FOR W——.
W—— INVESTIGATES.
"I have a clue."
A SAMPLE OF THE LAMOTTE BLOOD.
"I am ready to do that at any and all times."
SYBIL'S LETTER.
"John Burrill! Why, he is a Brute!"
So he dines at Wardour Place.
"Who are you?"
THE DEDUCTIONS OF A DETECTIVE.
"Ah! this phial is one of a set."
DOCTOR HEATH AT HOME.
"Are we alone?"
A FALLING OUT.
The tramp turned and looked back.
"Doctor Heath flatters himself."
ONE DETECTIVE TOO MANY.
"Here is this man again."
DEDUCTIONS OF DETECTIVE NUMBER TWO.
"Poor Frank, don't let this overcome you."
EVAN.
"Why, Evan, you look ghostly!"
THE END OF THE BEGINNING.
"You must not have a third attack."
THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
"Conny, it has come."
CONSTANCE'S DIPLOMACY.
JOHN BURRILL, ARISTOCRAT.
"I am happy to know you."
DIAMONDS.
"I have never once been tempted to self-destruction."
IN OPEN MUTINY.
Only a moment did Sybil listen.
"It is not in his power or yours to alter my decision."
THE PLAY GOES ON.
Evan saw Sybil and Frank canter away.
JOHN BURRILL, PLEBEIAN.
"Then take that, and that."
NANCE BURRILL'S WARNING.
"It's the other one," he muttered.
CONSTANCE AT BAY.
"Stay a moment, sir."
APPOINTING A WATCH DOG.
"I'll be hanged if I can understand it."
THE WATCH DOG DISCHARGED.
"I hope you'll excuse me."
"Well, Roarke, are you ready for business?"
FATHER AND SON.
"If you ever see me again, you'll see me sober."
A DAY OF GLOOM.
"You promise never to marry Francis Lamotte?"
THAT NIGHT.
PRINCE'S PREY.
The cottage stands quite by itself.
"Prince, come away, sir!"
A TURN IN THE GAME.
"Why, boy! Bless me."
INTRODUCING MR. SMITH.
"Any of the stiff's friends in this gang?"
OPENLY ACCUSED.
"Did you ever see that knife before?"
AN OBSTINATE CLIENT.
They find Corliss at the Sheriff's desk.
BEGINNING THE INVESTIGATION.
"Softly, Sir; softly; reflect a little."
AN APPEAL TO THE WARDOUR HONOR.
"Sybil Lamotte shall die in her delirium."
I CAN SAVE HIM IF I WILL.
"Constance Wardour, you love Clifford Heath."
A LAST RESORT.
A STRANGE INTERVIEW.
"Another, Miss Wardour, is—yourself."
TWO PASSENGERS WEST.
"Mr. Belknap, it is I."
SOME EXCELLENT ADVICE.
BELKNAP OUTWITTED.
"Cap'n, you're a good fellow."
"My friend, come down off that."
"WILL LOVE OUTWEIGH HONOR?"
"That hope is ended now."
"TOO YOUNG TO DIE."
SIR CLIFFORD HEATHERCLIFFE.
"Prisoner at the bar, are you guilty or not guilty?"
A TORTURED WITNESS.
"It was found beside the body of John Burrill."
JUSTICE, SACRIFICE, DEATH.
They come slowly forward.
There is a flash—a loud report.
A SPARTAN MOTHER.
TOLD BY A DETECTIVE.
Bathurst telling the story.
THE STORY OF LUCKY JIM.
AFTER THE DRAMA ENDED.
